While swirling uncertainty and community concerns, Chino Valley can breathe a tentative sigh of relief regarding the future of its local Safeway store. The story, initially catalyzed by the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertson’s, took a turn when a list of 579 stores slated for sale became public fodder. However, Economic Development Manager Maggie Holmberg stepped in to clarify, fervently quelling the rumor mill about the Chino Valley Safeway’s closure.
While the massive pending merger has been in the works for approximately two years, the whole process is currently shackled by a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) lawsuit. According to the town of Chino Valley's official announcement, the FTC is hitting back against the deal claiming it's "anticompetitive", and could spell bad news for shoppers and workers alike. Holmberg’s stance remains firm, "With the Federal Trade Commission suing to stop it, I don’t see a successful end in sight for the merger."
The revelation of which stores would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers does not nail down the merger’s fate but represents a maneuver to navigate around monopoly concerns, as per the Town of Chino Valley. There is no certainty that these actions will satisfy federal regulators or mark a turning, point for the merger to proceed. Despite the store list implying changes, the explicit message is that closures are not part of the plan.
If the stars align for the merger and C&S takes over Chino Valley’s Safeway, they have the legal go-ahead to continue hoisting the Safeway banner in Arizona and Colorado, likewise for the Albertsons name in California and Wyoming. "I doubt that the name would change from Safeway," says Holmberg, as stated by the Town of Chino Valley. Kroger and Albertson’s/Safeway, underscore this point, adding that C&S has given assurances that, "no stores will close as a result of the merger" and that "all frontline associates will remain employed."
